Joao Fonseca just won the biggest title of his career, and he’s about to make a pretty dramatic change to celebrate it.
The 19-year-old Brazilian shocked everyone by winning the 2025 Swiss Indoors in Basel. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
Fonseca grew up playing on clay courts back in Brazil. That’s where he felt comfortable, and that’s where he won his first ATP title at the Argentina Open earlier this year. Made perfect sense.
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But indoor hard courts? That’s a completely different story.
He barely played on indoor courts as a junior. So when he skipped the Shanghai Masters to focus on this indoor season, a lot of people scratched their heads. Why would you skip a big tournament to play on your worst surface?
Things looked even worse when he lost his first match in Brussels to Botic van de Zandschulp.
Then Basel happened.
Fonseca completely turned things around and dominated the tournament. In the final, he beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 6-4 to claim his second ATP title.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
During the trophy ceremony, Fonseca dropped a bombshell on the crowd. He told everyone about a deal he’d made with his team before the tournament started.
"Thanks a lot to you guys. We made the promise that if we win one of these tournaments, we’re gonna shave my head. Soon I’m not gonna have hair."
Yep, he’s going bald.
It’s actually pretty similar to what Carlos Alcaraz did after winning the US Open. Alcaraz dyed his hair blonde and got a buzz cut from his brother during that tournament. These young players really know how to celebrate.
The Brazilian is going to look completely different without his signature hair. And honestly, if he keeps playing like this and wins a Grand Slam or Masters 1000, who knows what crazy promise he’ll make next.
But the most touching part of his speech wasn’t about haircuts.
Fonseca got emotional talking about his family, especially his parents who’d just flown in from Brazil at the last minute.
"It is crazy. I want to thank my family and my coaches who helped me achieve this amazing effort. My parents just came from Brazil. They were coming to Paris and changed their flights and came here one hour before the match with my uncles. It is just amazing to have them here for the biggest title of my career."
They arrived just one hour before the final. Talk about cutting it close.
The teenager went on to explain how much his parents mean to his career, particularly his mom who’s been traveling with him since he was 11 years old.
"They were the ones that believed in me. I was thinking about going to university and they said it was my choice and they would be there to support me. I just want to thank them. Since I was young my mum travelled with me. Since I was 11, I only travelled with her, so that title is for her."
It’s a pretty amazing story when you think about it. A kid who almost went to university instead of pursuing tennis, now winning big tournaments on surfaces he barely played growing up.
What’s Next
Fonseca doesn’t get much time to enjoy his new look. He’s heading straight to Paris for the 2025 Paris Masters, where he’ll face Denis Shapovalov in his opening match.
There’s some history there. Shapovalov suddenly retired during their quarterfinal match in Basel, even though he didn’t seem injured. The crowd wasn’t happy about it and booed the Canadian off the court.
Should make for an interesting rematch.
As for that haircut? Well, Fonseca’s a man of his word. The tennis world is about to see a very different-looking Brazilian sensation.
